CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLES

(1). Of the Holy Scriptures >
(2). Of God and the Holy Trinity >
(3). Of God's Decree >
(4). Of Creation >
(5). Of Divine Providence >
(6). Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof >
(7). Of God's Covenant >
(8). Of Christ the Mediator >
(9). Of Free Will >
(10). Of Effectual Calling >
(11). Of Justification >
(12). Of Adoption >
(13). Of Sanctification >
(14). Of Saving Faith >
(15). Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation >
(16). Of Good Works >
(17). Of the Perseverance of the Saints >
(18). Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation >
(19). Of the Law of God >
(20). Of the Gospel and the Extent of Grace thereof >
(21). Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience >
(22). Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day >
(23). Of Lawful Oaths and Vows >
(24). Of the Civil Magistrate >
(25). Of Marriage >
(26). Of the Church >
(27). Of the Communion of Saints >
(28). Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper >
(29). Of Baptism >
(30). Of the Lord's Supper >
(31). Of the State of Man after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead >
(32). Of the Last Judgment >

FOREWORD

‘I have thought it right to reprint in a cheap form this excellent list of doctrines, which were subscribed to by the Baptist Ministers in the year 1689. We need a banner because of the truth; it may be that this small volume may aid the cause of the glorious gospel by testifying plainly what are its leading doctrines . . . May the Lord soon restore unto His Zion a pure language, and may her watchmen see eye to eye.’ So wrote the young C.H. Spurgeon, then in the second year of his ministry at New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, in a preface addressed to All the Household of Faith, who rejoice in the glorious doctrines of Free Grace with which he prefixed this Confession when he published it in October, 1855.

The Confession itself was first compiled by the Elders and Brethren of many congregations of Christians, baptized upon their profession of faith, in London and the country (as they then described themselves) in the year 1677. It was based upon, and drew its inspiration from the Confession drawn up by the Westminster Assembly of Divines a generation earlier, and indeed differs only from it in its teaching upon those matters, such as baptism, the Lord's Supper, and church government, upon which among the Reformed churches the Baptists differ from the Presbyterians. For fear of persecution, the compilers of the 1677 Confession did not subscribe their names to it, but when, in September, 1689, following the Revolution of the previous year, the Ministers and Messengers of the churches were able to meet in more peaceful times, thirty-seven of them, including all the most eminent Baptist ministers of the day, set their names to the recommendation with which it was circulated among the churches. Thereafter for between 150 and 200 years it remained the definitive Confession of Faith of the Particular (or Calvinistic) Baptist churches of england and Wales.

Mr. Spurgeon did not, however, when he republished this Confession, merely preface it with certain words of general commendation. He also addressed to his own church at New Park Street some practical words of advice as to how they should use the Confession. These are still relevant today.
'This little volume,’ he wrote, ‘is not issued as an authoritative rule, or code of faith, whereby you are to be fettered, but as an assistance to you in controversy, a confirmation in faith, and a means of edification in righteousness. Here the younger members of our church will have a body of divinity in small compass, and by means of the scriptural proofs, will be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them.

Be not ashamed of your faith; remember it is the ancient gospel of the martyrs, confessors, reformers, and saints. Above all, it is the truth of God, against which all the gates of Hell cannot prevail. Let your lives adorn your faith, let your example adorn your creed. Above all live in Christ Jesus, and walk in Him, giving credence to no teaching but that which is manifestly approved of Him, and owned by the Holy Spirit. Cleave fast to the Word of God which is here mapped out for you.’ This new edition of the Confession is sent out as a private venture by a small group of Baptists who are convinced that it has a message for this generation and believe its publication to be long overdue. They hope it will achieve a wide circulation among the churches, and receive the close study which they believe it will richly repay.

In England during the 1630’s and the 1640’s Congregationalists and Baptists of Calvinistic persuasion emerged from the Church of England. Their early existence was marked by repeated cycles of persecution at the hands of the established religion of crown and Parliament. The infamous Clarendon Code was adopted in the 1660’s to crush all dissent from the official religion of the state. Periods of rigorous application and intervals of relaxation of these coercive acts haunted Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and Baptists alike.

Presbyterians and Congregationalists suffered less than did Baptists under this harassment. No little reason for their relative success in resisting government tyranny was their united front of doctrinal agreement. All Presbyterians stood by their Westminster Confession of 1646. Congregationalists adopted virtually the same articles of faith in the Savoy Confession of 1658. Feeling their substantial unity with paedobaptists suffering under the same cruel injustice, Calvinistic Baptists met to publish their substantial harmony with them in doctrine.

A circular letter was sent to particular Baptist churches in England and Wales asking each assembly to send representatives to a meeting in London in 1677. A confession consciously modeled after the Westminster Confession of Faith was approved and published. It has ever since born the name of the Second London Confession. The First London Confession had been issued by seven Baptist congregations of London in 1644. That first document had been drawn up to distinguish newly organized Calvinistic Baptists from the Arminian Baptists and the Anabaptists. Because this second London Confession was drawn up in dark hours of oppression, it was issued anonymously.

A preface to the original publication of 1677 says in part: “. . . It is now many years since diverse of us . . . did conceive ourselves under a necessity of publishing a Confession of our Faith, for the information and satisfaction of those that did not thoroughly understand what our principles were, of had entertained prejudices against our profession . . . This was first put forth about the year 1643, in the name of seven congregations then gathered in London . . .” (These early Baptists were conscious that the 1644 Calvinistic Baptist Confession predated the 1646 Presbyterian Confession and the 1658 Congregationalist Confession).

“Forasmuch as this confession is not now commonly to be had; and also that many others have since embraced the same truth which is owned therein; it was judged necessary by us to join together in giving a testimony to the world of our firm adhering to those wholesome principles . . .”

THE BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH

CHAPTER 1 OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

Paragraph 1. The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience(1), although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and His will which is necessary unto salvation(2). Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in diversified manners to reveal Himself, and to declare (that) His will unto His church(3). and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which makes the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God's revealing His will unto His people being now completed(4).
(1) nkjv@2Timothy:3:15-17; nkjv@Isaiah:8:20; nkjv@Luke:16:29-31; nkjv@Ephesians:2:20
(2) nkjv@Romans:1:19-21, nkjv@Romans:2:14-15; nkjv@Psalms:19:1-3
(3) nkjv@Hebrews:1:1
(4) nkjv@Proverbs:22:19-21; nkjv@Romans:15:4; nkjv@2Peter:1:19-20

Paragraph 2. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:

All of which are given by the inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life(5).
(5) nkjv@2Timothy:3:16

Paragraph 3. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon or rule of the Scripture, and, therefore, are of no authority to the church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved or made use of than other human writings(6).
(6) nkjv@Luke:24:27nkjv@Luke:24:44nkjv@Romans:3:2

Paragraph 5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God to a high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, and many other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it does abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts(8).
(8) nkjv@John:16:13-14; nkjv@1Corinthians:2:10-12; nkjv@1John:2:20nkjv@1John:2:27

Paragraph 6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men(9). Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word(10), and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed(11).
(9) nkjv@2Timothy:3:15-17; nkjv@Galatians:1:8-9
(10) nkjv@John:6:45; nkjv@1Corinthians:2:9-12
(11) nkjv@1Corinthians:11:13-14; nkjv@1Corinthians:14:26nkjv@1Corinthians:14:40

Paragraph 7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all(12). yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them(13).
(12) nkjv@2Peter:3:16
(13) nkjv@Psalms:19:7; nkjv@Psalms:119:130

Paragraph 8. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old)(14), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentic; so as in all controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal to them(15). But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have a right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God to read(16), and search them(17), therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come(18), that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship Him in an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope(19).
(14) nkjv@Romans:3:2
(15) nkjv@Isaiah:8:20
(16) nkjv@Acts:15:15
(17) nkjv@John:5:39
(18) nkjv@1Corinthians:14:6nkjv@1Corinthians:14:9-11-12(nkjv@1Corinthians:14:24),(nkjv@1Corinthians:14:28),
(19) nkjv@Colossians:3:16

Paragraph 9. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which are not many, but one), it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly(20).
(20) nkjv@2Peter:1:20-21; nkjv@Acts:15:15-16

Paragraph 10. The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved(21).
(21) nkjv@Matthew:22:29-32; nkjv@Ephesians:2:20; nkjv@Acts:28:23

Paragraph 2. God, having all life(17), glory(18), goodness(19), blessedness, in and of Himself, is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which He hath made, nor deriving any glory from them(20), but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things(21), and He hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever Himself pleases(22). in His sight all things are open and manifest(23), His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent or uncertain(24). He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works(25), and in all His commands; to Him is due from angels and men, whatsoever worship(26), service, or obedience, as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever He is further pleased to require of them.
(17) nkjv@John:5:26
(18) nkjv@Psalms:148:13
(19) nkjv@Psalms:119:68
(20) nkjv@Job:22:2-3
(21) nkjv@Romans:11:34-36
(22) nkjv@Daniel:4:25nkjv@Daniel:4:34-35
(23) nkjv@Hebrews:4:13
(24) nkjv@Ezekiel:11:5; nkjv@Acts:15:18
(25) nkjv@Psalms:145:17
(26) nkjv@Revelation:5:12-14

Paragraph 3. In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit(27), of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided:28 the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father(29). the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son(30). all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence on Him.
(27) nkjv@1John:5:7; nkjv@Matthew:28:19; nkjv@2Corinthians:13:14
(28) nkjv@Exodus:3:14; nkjv@John:14:11; nkjv@1Corinthians:8:6
(29) nkjv@John:1:14nkjv@John:1:18
(30) nkjv@John:15:26; nkjv@Galatians:4:6

Paragraph 2. Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon all supposed conditions(5), yet hath He not decreed anything, because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions(6).
(5) nkjv@Acts:15:18
(6) nkjv@Romans:9:11-13nkjv@Romans:9:16-18

Paragraph 3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ(7), to the praise of His glorious grace(8). others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of His glorious justice(9).
(7) I Tim. kjv@5:21; nkjv@Matthew:25:34
(8) nkjv@Ephesians:1:5-6
(9) nkjv@Romans:9:22-23; nkjv@Jude:1:4

Paragraph 4. These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished(10).
(10) nkjv@2Timothy:2:19; nkjv@John:13:18

Paragraph 6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so He hath, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto(13). wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ(14), are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified(15), and kept by His power through faith unto salvation(16). neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only(17).
(13) nkjv@1Peter:1:2; 2; Thess. 2:13
(14) nkjv@1Thessalonians:5:9-10
(15) nkjv@Romans:8:30; nkjv@2Thessalonians:2:13
(16) nkjv@1Peter:1:5
(17) nkjv@John:10:26nkjv@John:10:17:9(6),:64

Paragraph 7. The doctrine of the high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of God revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election(18). so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise(19), reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility(20), diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel(21).
(18) nkjv@1Thessalonians:1:4-5; nkjv@2Peter:1:10
(19) nkjv@Ephesians:1:6; nkjv@Romans:11:33
(20) nkjv@Romans:11:5-6nkjv@Romans:11:20
(21) nkjv@Luke:10:20

Paragraph 2. After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female(4), with reasonable and immortal souls(5), rendering them fit unto that life to God for which they were created; being made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness(6). having the law of God written in their hearts(7), and power to fulfill it, and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject to change(8).
(4) nkjv@Genesis:1:27
(5) nkjv@Genesis:2:7
(6) Eccles. kjv@7:29; nkjv@Genesis:1(26).
(7) nkjv@Romans:2:14-15
(8) nkjv@Genesis:3:6

Paragraph 3. Besides the law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil(9), which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures(10).
(9) nkjv@Genesis:2:17
(10) nkjv@Genesis:1:26-28

CHAPTER 5 OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE

Paragraph 1. God the good Creator of all things, in His infinite power and wisdom does uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and things(1), from the greatest even to the least(2), by His most wise and holy providence, to the end for the which they were created, according unto His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will; to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness, and mercy(3).
(1) nkjv@Hebrews:1:3; nkjv@Job:38:11; nkjv@Isaiah:46:10-11; nkjv@Psalms:135:6
(2) nkjv@Matthew:10:29-31
(3) nkjv@Ephesians:1(11).

Paragraph 2. Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly(4). so that there is not anything befalls any by chance, or without His providence(5). yet by the same providence He ordered them to fall out according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently(6).
(4) nkjv@Acts:2:23
(5) nkjv@Proverbs:16:33
(6) nkjv@Genesis:8:22

Paragraph 4. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in His providence, that His determinate counsel extends itself even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions both of angels and men(11). and that not by a bare permission, which also He most wisely and powerfully binds, and otherwise orders and governs(12), in a manifold dispensation to His most holy ends(13). yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceeds only from the creatures, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin(14).
(11) nkjv@Romans:11:32-34; nkjv@2Samuel:24:1; 1 Chron. 21:1
(12) nkjv@2Kings:19:28; nkjv@Psalms:76:10
(13) nkjv@Genesis:1:20; nkjv@Isaiah:10:6-7nkjv@Isaiah:10:12
(14) nkjv@Psalms:1(21).; nkjv@1John:2:16

Paragraph 5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God does often times leave for a season His own children to manifold temptations and the corruptions of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon Himself; and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends(15). So that whatsoever befalls any of His elect is by His appointment, for His glory, and their good(16).
(15) 2 Chron. 32:25-26(31),; nkjv@2Corinthians:12:7-9
(16) nkjv@Romans:8:28

CHAPTER 6 OF THE FALL OF MAN, OF SIN, AND OF THE PUNISHMENT THEREOF

Paragraph 1. Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death upon the breach thereof(1), yet he did not long abide in this honor; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to subdue Eve, then by her seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion, did willfully transgress the law of their creation, and the command given to them, in eating the forbidden fruit(2), which God was pleased, according to His wise and holy counsel to permit, having purposed to order it to His own glory.
(1) nkjv@Genesis:2:16-17
(2) nkjv@Genesis:3:12-13; nkjv@2Corinthians:11:3

CHAPTER 7 OF GOD’S COVENANT

Paragraph 1. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience to Him as their creator, yet they could never have attained the reward of life but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which He hath been pleased to express by way of covenant(1).
(1) nkjv@Luke:17:10; nkjv@Job:35:7-8

Paragraph 3. This covenant is revealed in the gospel; first of all to Adam in the promise of salvation by the seed of the woman(5), and afterwards by farther steps, until the full discovery thereof was completed in the New Testament(6). and it is founded in that eternal covenant transaction that was between the Father and the Son about the redemption of the elect(7). and it is alone by the grace of this covenant that all the posterity of fallen Adam that ever were saved did obtain life and blessed immortality, man being now utterly incapable of acceptance with God upon those terms on which Adam stood in his state of innocency(8).
(5) nkjv@Genesis:3:15
(6) nkjv@Hebrews:1:1
(7) nkjv@2Timothy:1:9; nkjv@Titus:1:2
(8) nkjv@Hebrews:11(6).(13),; nkjv@Romans:4:1-2, &c.; nkjv@Acts:4:12; nkjv@John:8:56

Paragraph 2. The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternal God, the brightness of the Father's glory, of one substance and equal with Him who made the world, who upholds and governs all things He has made, did, when the fullness of time was complete, take upon Him man's nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities of it(9), yet without sin(10). being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her: and the power of the Most High overshadowing her; and so was made of a woman of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abraham and David according to the Scriptures(11). so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion; which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man(12).
(9) nkjv@John:1:14; nkjv@Galatians:4(4).
(10) nkjv@Romans:8:3; nkjv@Hebrews:2:14-16-17, 4:15
(11) nkjv@Matthew:1:22-23
(12) nkjv@Luke:1:27nkjv@Luke:1:31-35nkjv@Romans:9:5; nkjv@1Timothy:2:5

Paragraph 6. Although the price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ until after His incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit thereof were communicated to the elect in all ages, successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices wherein He was revealed, and signified to be the seed which should bruise the serpent's head(34). and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world(35), being the same yesterday, and today and for ever(36).
(34) nkjv@1Corinthians:4:10; nkjv@Hebrews:4:2; nkjv@1Peter:1:10-11
(35) nkjv@Revelation:13:8
(36) nkjv@Hebrews:13:8

Paragraph 7. Christ, in the work of mediation, acts according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself; yet by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in Scripture, attributed to the person denominated by the other nature(37).
(37) nkjv@John:3:13; nkjv@Acts:20:28

Paragraph 9. This office of mediator between God and man is proper only to Christ, who is the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God; and may not be either in whole, or any part thereof, transferred from Him to any other(43).
(43) Tim. 2:5

Paragraph 10. This number and order of offices is necessary; for in respect of our ignorance, we stand in need of His prophetical office(44). and in respect of our alienation from God, and imperfection of the best of our services, we need His priestly office to reconcile us and present us acceptable unto God(45). and in respect to our averseness and utter inability to return to God, and for our rescue and security from our spiritual adversaries, we need His kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, uphold, deliver, and preserve us to His heavenly kingdom(46).
(44) nkjv@John:1:18
(45) nkjv@Colossians:1:21; nkjv@Galatians:5:17
(46) nkjv@John:16:8; nkjv@Psalms:110:3; nkjv@Luke:1:74-75

Paragraph 2. Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom and power to will and to do that which was good and well-pleasing to God(2), but yet was unstable, so that he might fall from it(3).
(2) nkjv@Ecclesiastes:7:29
(3) nkjv@Genesis:3:6

Paragraph 4. When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, He frees him from his natural bondage under sin(7), and by His grace alone enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good(8). yet so as that by reason of his remaining corruptions, he does not perfectly, nor only will, that which is good, but does also will that which is evil(9).
(7) nkjv@Colossians:1:13; nkjv@John:8:36
(8) nkjv@Philippians:2:13
(9) nkjv@Romans:7:15nkjv@Romans:7:18-19-21-23

Paragraph 5. This will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone in
the state of glory only(10).
(10) nkjv@Ephesians:4:13

Paragraph 2. This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, nor from any power or agency in the creature(7), being wholly passive therein, being dead in sins and trespasses, until being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit(8). he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it, and that by no less power than that which raised up Christ from the dead(9).
(7) nkjv@2Timothy:1:9; nkjv@Ephesians:2:8
(8) nkjv@1Corinthians:2:14; nkjv@Ephesians:2:5; nkjv@John:5:25
(9) nkjv@Ephesians:1:19-20

Paragraph 3. Elect infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit(10). who works when, and where, and how He pleases(11). so also are all elect persons, who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.
(10) nkjv@John:3:3-5, 6
(1) nkjv@1John:3:8

Paragraph 2. Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification(6). yet is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love(7).
(6) nkjv@Romans:3:28
(7) nkjv@Galatians:5:6, nkjv@James:2:17nkjv@James:2:22(26),

Paragraph 3. Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those who are justified; and did, by the sacrifice of himself in the blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead the penalty due to them, make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God’s justice in their behalf(8). yet, in as much as he was given by the Father for them, and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not for anything in them(9), their justification is only of free grace, that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners(10).
(8) nkjv@Hebrews:10:14; nkjv@1Peter:1:18-19; nkjv@Isaiah:53:5-6
(9) nkjv@Romans:8:32; nkjv@2Corinthians:5:21
(10) nkjv@Romans:3:26; nkjv@Ephesians:1:6-7, 2:7

Paragraph 6. The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament(18).
(18) nkjv@Galatians:3:9; nkjv@Romans:4:22-24

Paragraph 3. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail(10), yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome(11). and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in his Word has prescribed to them(12).
(10) nkjv@Romans:7:23
(11) nkjv@Romans:6:14
(12) nkjv@Ephesians:4:15-16; nkjv@2Corinthians:3:18nkjv@2Corinthians:3:7:1

Paragraph 2. By this faith a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word for the authority of God himself(4), and also apprehends an excellency therein above all other writings and all things in the world(5), as it bears forth the glory of God in his attributes, the excellency of Christ in his nature and offices, and the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit in his workings and operations: and so is enabled to cast his soul upon the truth consequently believed(6). and also acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to the commands(7), trembling at the threatenings(8), and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come(9). but the principle acts of saving faith have immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting upon him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace(10).
(4) nkjv@Acts:24:14
(5) nkjv@Psalms:19:7-10, 69:72
(6) nkjv@2Timothy:1:12
(7) nkjv@John:15:14
(8) nkjv@Isaiah:116:2
(9) nkjv@Hebrews:11:13
(10) nkjv@John:1:12; nkjv@Acts:16:31; nkjv@Galatians:2:20; nkjv@Acts:15:11

CHAPTER 15 OF REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE AND SALVATION

Paragraph 1. Such of the elect that are converted at riper years, having sometime lived in the state of nature, and therein served divers pleasures, God in their effectual calling gives them repentance to life(1).
(1) nkjv@Titus:3:2-5

Paragraph 2. Whereas there is none that does good and does not sin(2), and the best of men may, through the power and deceitfulness of their corruption dwelling in them, with the prevalency of temptation, fall in to great sins and provocations; God has, in the covenant of grace, mercifully provided that believers so sinning and falling be renewed through repentance unto salvation(3).
(2) Eccles. 7:20
(3) nkjv@Luke:22:31-32

Paragraph 4. As repentance is to be continued through the whole course of our lives, upon the account of the body of death, and the motions thereof, so it is every man’s duty to repent of his particular known sins particularly(7).
(7) nkjv@Luke:19:8; nkjv@1Timothy:1:13-15

Paragraph 5. Such is the provision which God has made through Christ in the covenant of grace for the preservation of believers unto salvation, that although there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation(8), yet there is no sin so great that it shall bring damnation to them that repent(9), which makes the constant preaching of repentance necessary.
(8) nkjv@Romans:6:23
(9) nkjv@Isaiah:1:16-18, 55:7

Paragraph 3. Their ability to do good works is not all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ(10). and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them and to will and to do of his good pleasure(11). yet they are not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit, but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them(12).
(10) nkjv@John:15:4-5
(11) nkjv@2Corinthians:3:5; nkjv@Philippians:2:13
(12) nkjv@Philippians:2:12; nkjv@Hebrews:6:11-12; nkjv@Isaiah:64:7

Paragraph 4. They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do(13).
(13) nkjv@Job:9:2-3; nkjv@Galatians:5:17; nkjv@Luke:17:10

Paragraph 5. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins(14). but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants; and because they are good they proceed from his Spirit(15), and as they are wrought by us they are defiled and mixed with so much weekness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God’s punishment(16).
(14) nkjv@Romans:3:20; nkjv@Ephesians:2:8-9; nkjv@Romans:4:6
(15) nkjv@Galatians:5:22-23
(16) nkjv@Isaiah:64:6; nkjv@Psalms:43:2

Paragraph 6. Yet notwithstanding the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him(17). not as thought they were in this life wholly unblamable and unreprovable in God’s sight, but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfection(18).
(17) nkjv@Ephesians:1:5; nkjv@1Peter:1:5
(18) nkjv@Matthew:25:21-23; nkjv@Hebrews:6:10

CHAPTER 17 OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

Paragraph 1. Those whom God has accepted in the beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, from which source he still begets and nourishes in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality(1). and though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened upon; notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the light and love of God may for a time be clouded and obscured from them(2), yet he is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraved upon the palm of his hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity(3).nkjv@1John:10:28-29; nkjv@Philippians:1:6; nkjv@2Timothy:2:19; nkjv@1John:2:19
(2) nkjv@Psalms:89:31-32; nkjv@1Corinthians:11:32
(3) nkjv@Malachi:3:6

Paragraph 2. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election(4), flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him(5), the oath of God(6), the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of God within them(7), and the nature of the covenant of grace(8). from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
(4) nkjv@Romans:8:30nkjv@Romans:8:9:11(16),
(5) nkjv@Romans:5:9-10; nkjv@John:14:19
(6) nkjv@Hebrews:6:17-18
(7) nkjv@1John:3:9
(8) nkjv@Jeremiah:32:40

CHAPTER 18 OF THE ASSURANCE OF GRACE AND SALVATION

Paragraph 1. Although temporary believers and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favor of God and in a state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall perish(1). yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God(2), which hope shall never make them ashamed(3).
(1) nkjv@Job:8:13-14; nkjv@Matthew:7:22-23
(2) nkjv@1John:2:3nkjv@1John:2:3:14(18),-19-21-24, 5:13
(3) nkjv@Romans:5:2nkjv@Romans:5:5

Paragraph 2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of faith(4), founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel(5). and also upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made(6), and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God(7). and, as a fruit thereof, keeping the heart both humble and holy(8).
(4) nkjv@Hebrews:6:11nkjv@Hebrews:6:19
(5) nkjv@Hebrews:6:17-18
(6) nkjv@2Peter:1:4-5nkjv@2Peter:1:10-11
(7) nkjv@Romans:8:15-16
(8) nkjv@1John:3:1-3

Paragraph 3. This infallible assurance does not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and struggle with many difficulties before he be partaker of it(9). yet being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of means, attain thereunto:10 and therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance(11). -so far is it from inclining men to looseness(12).
(9) nkjv@Isaiah:50:10; nkjv@Psalms:88;nkjv@Psalms:77:1-12
(10) nkjv@1John:4:13; nkjv@Hebrews:6:11-12
(11) nkjv@Romans:5:1-2nkjv@Romans:5:5, 14:17; nkjv@Psalms:119:32
(12) nkjv@Romans:6:1-2; nkjv@Titus:2:11-12-14

Paragraph 4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of it(13), by falling into some special sin which wounds the conscience and grieves the Spirit(14). by some sudden or vehement temptation(15), by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light(16), yet are they never destitute of the seed of God17 and life of faith(18), that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscience of duty out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may in due time be revived(19), and by the which, in the meantime, they are preserved from utter despair(20).
(13) Cant. 5:2-3(6),
(14) nkjv@Psalms:51:8nkjv@Psalms:51:12-14
(15) nkjv@Psalms:116:11nkjv@Psalms:77:7-8, 31:22
(16) nkjv@Psalms:30:7
(17) nkjv@1John:3:9
(18) nkjv@Luke:22:32
(19) nkjv@Psalms:42:5nkjv@Psalms:42:11
(20) nkjv@Lamentations:3:26-31

CHAPTER 19 OF THE LAW OF GOD

Paragraph 1. God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil(1). by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience(2). promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it, and endued him with power and ability to keep it(3).
(1) nkjv@Genesis:1:27; Eccles. 7:29
(2) nkjv@Romans:10:5
(3) nkjv@Galatians:3:10-12

Paragraph 2. The same law that was first written in the heart of man continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall(4), and was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables, the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other six, our duty to man(5).
(4) nkjv@Romans:2:14-15
(5) nkjv@Deuteronomy:10:4

Paragraph 3. Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits(6). and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties(7), all which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are, by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only law-giver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end abrogated and taken away(8).
(6) nkjv@Hebrews:10:1; nkjv@Colossians:2:17
(7) nkjv@1Corinthians:5:7
(8) nkjv@Colossians:2:14-16-17; nkjv@Ephesians:2:14-16

Paragraph 4. To them also he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by virtue of that institution; their general equity only being of modern use(9).
(9) nkjv@1Corinthians:9:8-10

Paragraph 6. Although true believers are not under the law as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified or condemned(13), yet it is of great use to them as well as to others, in that as a rule of life, informing them of the will of God and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly; discovering also the sinful pollutions of their natures, hearts, and lives, so as examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against, sin(14). together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of his obedience; it is likewise of use to the regenerate to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin; and the threatenings of it serve to show what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them, although freed from the curse and unallayed rigour thereof. The promises of it likewise show them God's approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, though not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works; so as man's doing good and refraining from evil, because the law encourages to the one and deters from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law and not under grace(15).
(13) nkjv@Romans:6:14; nkjv@Galatians:2:16; nkjv@Romans:8:1nkjv@Romans:8:10:4
(14) nkjv@Romans:3:20nkjv@Romans:3:7:7, etc.
(15) nkjv@Romans:6:12-14; nkjv@1Peter:3:8-13

Paragraph 7. Neither are the aforementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it(16), the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely and cheerfully which the will of God, revealed in the law, requires to be done(17).
(16) nkjv@Galatians:3:21
(17) nkjv@Ezekiel:36:27

CHAPTER 20 OF THE GOSPEL AND OF THE EXTENT OF THE GRACE THEREOF

Paragraph 1. The covenant of works being broken by sin, and made unprofitable unto life, God was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect, and begetting in them faith and repentance(1). in this promise the gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed, and is therein effectual for the conversion and salvation of sinners(2).
(1) nkjv@Genesis:3:15
(2) nkjv@Revelation:13:8

Paragraph 2. This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God(3). neither do the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in a general or obscure way(4). much less that men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or gospel, should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance(5).
(3) nkjv@Romans:1(17).
(4) nkjv@Romans:10:14-15-17
(5) nkjv@Proverbs:29:18; nkjv@Isaiah:25:7nkjv@Isaiah:60:2-3

Paragraph 3. The revelation of the gospel to sinners, made in divers times and by sundry parts, with the addition of promises and precepts for the obedience required therein, as to the nations and persons to whom it is granted, is merely of the sovereign will and good pleasure of God(6). not being annexed by virtue of any promise to the due improvement of men's natural abilities, by virtue of common light received without it, which none ever made, or can do so(7). and therefore in all ages, the preaching of the gospel has been granted unto persons and nations, as to the extent or straitening of it, in great variety, according to the counsel of the will of God.
(6) nkjv@Psalms:147:20; nkjv@Acts:16:7
(7) nkjv@Romans:1:18-32

Paragraph 4. Although the gospel be the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and is, as such, abundantly sufficient thereunto; yet that men who are dead in trespasses may be born again, quickened or regenerated, there is moreover necessary an effectual insuperable work of the Holy Spirit upon the whole soul, for the producing in them a new spiritual life(8). without which no other means will effect their conversion unto God(9).
(8) nkjv@Psalms:110:3; nkjv@1Corinthians:2:14; nkjv@Ephesians:1:19-20
(9) nkjv@John:6:44; nkjv@2Corinthians:4:4-6

CHAPTER 21 OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY AND LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE

Paragraph 1. The liberty which Christ has purchased for believers under the gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the severity and curse of the law(1), and in their being delivered from this present evil world(2), bondage to Satan(3), and dominion of sin(4), from the evil of afflictions(5), the fear and sting of death, the victory of the grave(6), and everlasting damnation:7 as also in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto Him, not out of slavish fear(8), but a child-like love and willing mind(9). All which were common also to believers under the law for the substance of them(10). but under the New Testament the liberty of Christians is further enlarged, in their freedom from the yoke of a ceremonial law, to which the Jewish church was subjected, and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of(11).
(1) nkjv@Galatians:3:13
(2) nkjv@Galatians:1:4
(3) nkjv@Acts:26:18
(4) nkjv@Romans:8:3
(5) nkjv@Romans:8:28
(6) nkjv@1Corinthians:15:54-57
(7) nkjv@2Thessalonians:1:10
(8) nkjv@Romans:8:15;
(9) nkjv@Luke:1:73-75; nkjv@1John:4:18
(10) nkjv@Galatians:3(9).(14),
(1) nkjv@1John:7:38-39; nkjv@Hebrews:10:19-21

Paragraph 3. They who upon pretence of Christian liberty do practice any sin, or cherish any sinful lust, as they do thereby pervert the main design of the grace of the gospel to their own destruction(16), so they wholly destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of all our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righeousness before Him, all the days of our lives(17).
(16) nkjv@Romans:6:1-2
(17) nkjv@Galatians:5:13; nkjv@2Peter:2:18nkjv@2Peter:2:21

CHAPTER 22 OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP AND THE SABBATH DAY

Paragraph 1. The light of nature shows that there is a God, who has lordship and sovereignty over all; is just, good and does good to all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart and all the soul, and with all the might(1). But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God, is instituted by himself(2), and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imagination and devices of men, nor the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures(3).
(1) nkjv@Jeremiah:10:7; nkjv@Mark:12:33
(2) nkjv@Deuteronomy:12:32
(3) nkjv@Exodus:20:4-6

Paragraph 3. Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is by God required of all men(8). But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son(9), by the help of the Spirit(10), according to his will(11). with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue(12).
(8) nkjv@Psalms:95:1-7, 65:2
(9) nkjv@John:14:13-14
(10) nkjv@Romans:8:26
(11) nkjv@1John:5:14
(12) nkjv@1Corinthians:14:16-17

Paragraph 7. As it is the law of nature, that in general a proportion of time, by God's appointment, be set apart for the worship of God, so by his Word, in a positive moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men, in all ages, he has particularly appointed one day in seven for a sabbath to be kept holy unto him(28), which from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ was the last day of the week, and from the resurrection of Christ was changed into the first day of the week, which is called the Lord's Day:29 and is to be continued to the end of the world as the Christian Sabbath, the observation of the last day of the week being abolished.
(28) nkjv@Exodus:20:8
(29) nkjv@1Corinthians:16:1-2; nkjv@Acts:20:7; nkjv@Revelation:1:10

Paragraph 8. The sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering their common affairs aforehand, do not only observe a holy rest all day, from their own works, words and thoughts, about their worldly employment and recreations(30), but are also taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy(31).
(30) nkjv@Isaiah:58:13; nkjv@Nehemiah:13:15-22
(31) nkjv@Matthew:12:1-13

CHAPTER 23 OF LAWFUL OATHS AND VOWS

Paragraph 1. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the person swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgment, solemnly calls God to witness what he swears(1), and to judge him according to the truth or falseness thereof(2).
(1) nkjv@Exodus:20:7; nkjv@Deuteronomy:10:20; nkjv@Jeremiah:4:2
(2) 2 Chron. 6:22-23

Paragraph 2. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear; and therein it is to be used, with all holy fear and reverence; therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred(3). yet as in matter of weight and moment, for confirmation of truth, and ending all strife, an oath is warranted by the word of God(4). so a lawful oath being imposed by lawful authority in such matters, ought to be taken(5).
(3) nkjv@Matthew:5:34nkjv@Matthew:5:37nkjv@James:5:12
(4) nkjv@Hebrews:6:16; nkjv@2Corinthians:1:23
(5) nkjv@Nehemiah:13:25

Paragraph 3. Whosoever takes an oath warranted by the word of God, ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he knows to be truth; for that by rash, false, and vain oaths, the Lord is provoked, and for them this land mourns(6).
(6) nkjv@Leviticus:19:12; nkjv@Jeremiah:23:10

Paragraph 4. An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation or mental reservation(7).
(7) nkjv@Psalms:24:4

CHAPTER 24 OF THE CIVIL MAGISTRATE

Paragraph 1. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public good; and to this end has armed them with the power of the sword, for defence and encouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers(1).
(1) nkjv@Romans:13:1-4

Paragraph 2. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate when called thereunto; in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain justice and peace(2), according to the wholesome laws of each kingdom and commonwealth, so for that end they may lawfully now, under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary occasions(3).
(2) nkjv@2Samuel:23:3; nkjv@Psalms:82:3-4
(3) nkjv@Luke:3:14

Paragraph 3. Civil magistrates being set up by God for the ends aforesaid; subjection, in all lawful things commanded by them, ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but for conscience’ sake(4). and we ought to make supplications and prayers for kings and all that are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty(5).
(4) nkjv@Romans:13:5-7; nkjv@1Peter:2:17
(5) nkjv@1Timothy:2:1-2

Paragraph 3. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent(5). yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord(6). and therefore such as profess the true religion, should not marry with infidels, or idolaters; neither should such as are godly, be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresy(7).
(5) nkjv@Hebrews:13:4; nkjv@1Timothy:4:3
(6) nkjv@1Corinthians:7:39
(7) nkjv@Nehemiah:13:25-27

Paragraph 4. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity, forbidden in the Word(8). nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful, by any law of man or consent of parties, so as those persons may live together as man and wife(9).
(8) nkjv@Leviticus:18(9) nkjv@Mark:6:18; nkjv@1Corinthians:5:1

CHAPTER 26 OF THE CHURCH

Paragraph 1. The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that fills all in all(1).
(1) nkjv@Hebrews:12:23; nkjv@Colossians:1:18; nkjv@Ephesians:1:10nkjv@Ephesians:1:22-23, 5:23(27),(32),

Paragraph 2. All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors everting the foundation, or unholiness of conversation, are and may be called visible saints(2). and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted(3).
(2) nkjv@1Corinthians:1:2; nkjv@Acts:11:26
(3) nkjv@Romans:1:7; nkjv@Ephesians:1:20-22

Paragraph 4. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner(7). neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalts himself in the church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming(8).
(7) nkjv@Colossians:1:18; nkjv@Matthew:28:18-20; nkjv@Ephesians:4:11-12
(8) nkjv@2Thessalonians:2:2-9

Paragraph 5. In the execution of this power wherewith he is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calls out of the world unto himself, through the ministry of his word, by his Spirit, those that are given unto him by his Father(9), that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience, which he prescribes to them in his word(10). Those thus called, he commands to walk together in particular societies, or churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of that public worship, which he requires of them in the world(11).
(9) nkjv@John:10:16; nkjv@John:12:32
(10) nkjv@Matthew:28:20
(11) nkjv@Matthew:18:15-20

Paragraph 6. The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing (in and by their profession and walking) their obedience unto that call of Christ(12). and do willingly consent to walk together, according to the appointment of Christ; giving up themselves to the Lord, and one to another, by the will of God, in professed subjection to the ordinances of the Gospel(13).
(12) nkjv@Romans:1:7; nkjv@1Corinthians:1:2
(13) nkjv@Acts:2:41-42, kjv@5:13-14; nkjv@2Corinthians:9:13

Paragraph 7. To each of these churches therefore gathered, according to his mind declared in his word, he has given all that power and authority, which is in any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline, which he has instituted for them to observe; with commands and rules for the due and right exerting, and executing of that power(14).
(14) nkjv@Matthew:18:17-18; nkjv@1Corinthians:5:4-5, kjv@5:13, nkjv@2Corinthians:2:6-8

Paragraph 8. A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which he intrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons(15).
(15) nkjv@Acts:20:17nkjv@Acts:20:28nkjv@Philippians:1:1

Paragraph 9. The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person, fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in a church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the church itself(16). and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any before constituted therein(17). and of a deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hands(18).
(16) nkjv@Acts:14:23
(17) nkjv@1Timothy:4:14
(18) nkjv@Acts:6:3-5-6

Paragraph 10. The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to Him(19). it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things according to their ability(20), so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being themselves entangled in secular affairs(21). and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others(22). and this is required by the law of nature, and by the express order of our Lord Jesus, who has ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel(23).
(19) nkjv@Acts:6:4; nkjv@Hebrews:13:17
(20) nkjv@1Timothy:5:17-18; nkjv@Galatians:6:6-7
(21) nkjv@2Timothy:2:4
(22) nkjv@1Timothy:3:2
(23) nkjv@1Corinthians:9:6-14

Paragraph 11. Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office, yet the work of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it(24).
(24) nkjv@Acts:11:19-21; nkjv@1Peter:4:10-11

Paragraph 13. No church members, upon any offence taken by them, having performed their duty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any church-order, or absent themselves from the assemblies of the church, or administration of any ordinances, upon the account of such offence at any of their fellow members, but to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the church(26).
(26) nkjv@Matthew:18:15-17; nkjv@Ephesians:4:2-3

Paragraph 14. As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray continually for the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ(27), in all places, and upon all occasions to further every one within the bounds of their places and callings, in the exercise of their gifts and graces, so the churches, when planted by the providence of God, so as they may enjoy opportunity and advantage for it, ought to hold communion among themselves, for their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification(28).
(27) nkjv@Ephesians:6:18; nkjv@Psalms:122:6
(28) nkjv@Romans:16:1-2; nkjv@3John:8-10

Paragraph 15. In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine or administration, wherein either the churches in general are concerned, or any one church, in their peace, union, and edification; or any member or members of any church are injured, in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth and order: it is according to the mind of Christ, that many churches holding communion together, do, by their messengers, meet to consider, and give their advice in or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned(29). howbeit these messengers assembled, are not intrusted with any church-power properly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any censures either over any churches or persons; or to impose their determination on the churches or officers(30).
(29) nkjv@Acts:15:2-4-6nkjv@Acts:15:22-23-25
(30) nkjv@2Corinthians:1:24; nkjv@1John:4:1

Paragraph 2. Saints by profession are bound to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification(4). as also in relieving each other in outward things according to their several abilities, and necessities(5). which communion, according to the rule of the gospel, though especially to be exercised by them, in the relation wherein they stand, whether in families(6), or churches(7), yet, as God offers opportunity, is to be extended to all the household of faith, even all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus; nevertheless their communion one with another as saints, does not take away or infringe the title or propriety which each man has in his goods and possessions(8).
(4) nkjv@Hebrews:10:24-25, 3:12-13
(5) nkjv@Acts:11:29-30
(6) nkjv@Ephesians:6:4
(7) nkjv@1Corinthians:12:14-27
(8) nkjv@Acts:5:4; nkjv@Ephesians:4:28

CHAPTER 28 OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

Paragraph 1. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of positive and sovereign institution, appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver, to be continued in his church to the end of the world(1).
(1) nkjv@Matthew:28:19-20; nkjv@1Corinthians:11:26

Paragraph 2. These holy appointments are to be administered by those only who are qualified and thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ(2).
(2) nkjv@Matthew:28:19; nkjv@1Corinthians:4:1

Paragraph 3. The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, wherein the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit(7).
(7) nkjv@Matthew:28:19-20; nkjv@Acts:8:38

Paragraph 4. Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary to the due administration of this ordinance(8).
(8) nkjv@Matthew:3:16; nkjv@John:3:23

CHAPTER 30 OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

Paragraph 1. The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by him the same night wherein he was betrayed, to be observed in his churches, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance, and showing to all the world the sacrifice of himself in his death(1), confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits thereof, their spiritual nourishment, and growth in him, their further engagement in, and to all duties which they owe to him; and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other(2).
(1) nkjv@1Corinthians:11:23-26
(2) nkjv@1Corinthians:10:16-17nkjv@1Corinthians:10:21

Paragraph 2. In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to his Father, nor any real sacrifice made at all for remission of sin of the quick or dead, but only a memorial of that one offering up of himself by himself upon the cross, once for all(3). and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God for the same(4). So that the popish sacrifice of the mass, as they call it, is most abominable, injurious to Christ's own sacrifice the alone propitiation for all the sins of the elect.
(3) nkjv@Hebrews:9:25-26-28
(4) nkjv@1Corinthians:11:24; nkjv@Matthew:26:26-27

Paragraph 3. The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to a holy use, and to take and break the bread; to take the cup, and, they communicating also themselves, to give both to the communicants(5).
(5) nkjv@1Corinthians:11:23-26, etc.

Paragraph 4. The denial of the cup to the people, worshipping the elements, the lifting them up, or carrying them about for adoration, and reserving them for any pretended religious use, are all contrary to the nature of this ordinance, and to the institution of Christ(6).
(6) nkjv@Matthew:26:26-28, 15:9, nkjv@Exodus:20:4-5

Paragraph 5. The outward elements in this ordinance, duly set apart to the use ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that truly, although in terms used figuratively, they are sometimes called by the names of the things they represent, in other words, the body and blood of Christ(7), albeit, in substance and nature, they still remain truly and only bread and wine, as they were before(8).
(7) nkjv@1Corinthians:11:27
(8) nkjv@1Corinthians:11:26-28

Paragraph 6. That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread and wine, into the substance of Christ's body and blood, commonly called transubstantiation, by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant not to Scripture alone(9), but even to common sense and reason, overthrows the nature of the ordinance, and has been, and is, the cause of manifold superstitions, yea, of gross idolatries(10).
(9) nkjv@Acts:3:21; nkjv@Luke:14:6nkjv@Luke:14:39
(10) nkjv@1Corinthians:11:24-25

Paragraph 7. Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this ordinance, do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually receive, and feed upon Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death; the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally, but spiritually present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward senses(11).
(11) nkjv@1Corinthians:10:16nkjv@1Corinthians:10:11:23-26

Paragraph 8. All ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communion with Christ, so are they unworthy of the Lord's table, and cannot, without great sin against him, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries, or be admitted thereunto(12). yea, whosoever shall receive unworthily, are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, eating and drinking judgment to themselves(13).
(12) nkjv@2Corinthians:6:14-15
(13) nkjv@1Corinthians:11:29; nkjv@Matthew:7:6

Paragraph 2. The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient(4). for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fullness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards, in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who do not know God, and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast aside into everlasting torments(5), and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power(6).
(4) nkjv@Romans:9:22-23
(5) nkjv@Matthew:25:21-34; nkjv@2Timothy:4:8
(6) nkjv@Matthew:25:46; nkjv@Mark:9:48; nkjv@2Thessalonians:1:7-10

Paragraph 3. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin(7), and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity(8), so will he have the day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come(9), and may ever be prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus; come quickly(10). Amen.
(7) nkjv@2Corinthians:5:10-11
(8) nkjv@2Thessalonians:1:5-7
(9) nkjv@Mark:13:35-37; nkjv@Luke:12:35-40
(10) nkjv@Revelation:22:20

ENDING STATEMENT AND SIGNATORIES

We the MINISTERS, and MESSENGERS of, and concerned for upwards of, one hundred BAPTIZED CHURCHES, in England and Wales (denying Arminianisim), being met together in London, from the third of the seventh month to the eleventh of the same, 1689, to consider of some things that might be for the glory of God, and the good of these congregations, have thought meet (for the satisfaction of all other Christians that differ from us in the point of Baptism) to recommend to their perusal the confession of our faith, which confession we own, as containing the doctrine of our faith and practice, and do desire that the members of our churches respectively do furnish themselves therewith.